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Car Insurance for Immigrants

Overview

As a newly located immigrant, getting behind the wheel can seem overwhelming when each state has it’s own set of laws regarding insurance coverage. You know that it’s illegal to drive a vehicle without a license and auto insurance in the U.S., but exactly how much insurance do you need?

If you’re planning on staying in the U.S. for more than 1 year you’ll need to apply for a driver’s license. Your cost of insurance will be more than the average citizen’s because you don’t have an American driving record or credit score. These two records are important to insurance companies because they use them to determine how much of a risk you are on the roads and whether or not you’ll cost them a significant amount of money to cover. But don’t let this hold you back from getting your license! There are many ways to save on insurance so that you can explore America’s open roads.

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Single, Easiest Thing to Do to Save

Find an insurance company that understands international drivers’ specific needs and would be able to give you advice on coverages. The larger insurance companies offer some kind of international driver insurance and would understand which discounts could help you save money as a new driver.

More insurance saving tips:

Commuting/Driving:

Make sure you follow your state’s specific rules for international and citizen driver’s licenses. You don’t want points on your driving record that will lead to even higher premiums.

If you plan on staying in the U.S. for more than a year, it’s recommended that you get a U.S. driver’s license instead of relying on your international permit, even if you don’t plan on becoming a citizen. Each state has different requirements for non-citizen U.S. licenses. You’ll avoid fees pinned onto international drivers if you’re fully licensed in the U.S.

Avoid choosing the highest deductible simply because it will lower your premium. You may agree to a deductible that is beyond your financial limits. It’s smart to choose the highest possible deductible that you can afford, but it’s important to figure out how much you can actually pay out of pocket if you have to at a moment’s notice.

If you plan to drive to school or work frequently, make sure to make an educated guess on your mileage when purchasing your insurance. Mileage doesn’t only help set rates, but coverages also. If you aren’t sure how much driving is considered a lot or a little, consider contacting your agent.

If you do have access to public transportation, but still want a vehicle for out of town trips make sure to add yourself as an occasional driver to your policy. Lower mileage means lower monthly payments.

Living Situation:

If you have a family member living in the U.S. already and you’ll be moving to the same state as them, ask them about adding yourself to their policy. Your primary residence address will have to be the same as the person whose policy you’re joining. Having multiple people on one policy is cheaper than owning one on your own. The policyholder is given multi-car and multi-driver discounts. This way you only need to pay the additional charge on this family member’s policy.

Be aware of where your new apartment, house, or job is located. When setting your premiums, insurance providers consider the crime and traffic rates of where your car spends most of its time. If your home or office is located in an area with high rates of both, you may want to add on security and/or collision coverages that will protect you in the event of theft or damages. You can even unlock a discount if you buy an anti-theft or tracking device for your car.

Buying a Car

If you’ve decided to buy your own car, consider buying one that has up to date safety features. Cars that include full-front airbags and restraint devices can qualify you for safe driving discounts.

Along with shopping for a car with safety features, remember that reliable vehicles such as family sedans are usually cheaper to insure, especially if they’re used. Convertibles are cool, but higher premiums aren’t.

Ask yourself if you really need a car in the first place. Are you moving to a city with a reliable public transportation system? Will you be able to get to and from work or school with the subway or bus? If so, you could save a lot of money by simply opting out of a car.